Cutting Defense Department Costs without Undermining U.S. Readiness

Generating savings remains a major goal within the Department of Defense in the aftermath of the first round of sequestration and with the likelihood of additional cuts ahead. Among other measures, the concept of Performance Based Logistics (PBL) offers potential for savings and efficiency. PBL as well as other reform and cost-cutting measures will be central to the department’s efforts to address an expected fiscal austerity. The questions remain how much can the Defense Department realistically save and what concrete steps should be taken next?

On October 14, the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence at Brookings hosted a panel to address these issues. Al Banghart of Deloitte Consulting LLP, Jay DeFrank of Pratt & Whitney, and George Mitchell of Sikorsky served as panelists. Michael O’Hanlon, co-director of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, moderated the discussion.